Jackie Robinson Seeking to Bring NBA Franchise to All Net Arena

May 13, 2014 08:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In December, businessman and former UNLV and NBA player Jackie Robinson,
Chairman, All Net Arena, LLC, announced plans to develop a $1.3 billion
privately-funded resort and arena located on the Las Vegas Strip and
scheduled to break ground late this summer.

Robinson is strongly supported by the Mobile, Alabama, MBDA Center,
federally-funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business
Development Agency. Pamela Ramos, Executive Director of the MBDA Mobile
Center, said they are “pleased to support the effort of All Net Resort &
Arena in its mission to advance unity and diversity in sports, and to
round out the entertainment industry in Las Vegas.” Ramos added, “All
Net Arena and Resort offers an opportunity for substantial engagement of
the diverse business community, creating record-breaking economic
benefits of more than 19,000 jobs with a significant portion of the
construction costs being earned by local and minority firms.”

All Net Arena has submitted its final traffic study, the Rise Report,
and pre-application submittal for entitlements to the county per its
schedule of filings, which will culminate in a final appearance before
the Clark County Commissioners on August 6, 2014. Robinson, in final
negotiations with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, has indicated that Hilton
Hotel Corporation and Marriott Corporation have each expressed a strong
interest in the five-star hotel facility.

Joining the All Net Board of Directors is Senior Vice President Eddie
Tantoco, former Vice President of the Host Marriott Corporation, as well
as former Vice President of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide,
who will head up the hospitality division for All Net Development, Inc.
Elizabeth Blau, cited by Vegas Magazine as the Culinary Queen,
joins the group as Food & Beverage Team Member.

Robinson has an impressive background in sports entertainment and
management—drafted by the Houston Rockets, a member of the 1978-79
Seattle Super Sonic World Championship team, the Detroit Pistons, and
the Chicago Bulls when Rod Thorn, now NBA President of Basketball
Operations, was general manager—and as owner of the Las Vegas Bandits
IBL basketball team coached by Lionel Hollins and Berry Hecker, formerly
of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Robinson concludes, "…an NBA franchise would be greatly received and
supported by the Las Vegas community and tourism industry. I have
communicated to Commissioner (Adam) Silver my desire and my partners’
willingness to invest additional funds to purchase an NBA franchise."